How Big is Darius Garland?

Intro

​Darius Garland was selected 5th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers after playing in only five games during his freshman season at Vanderbilt after suffering a meniscus injury to his left knee. Garland had been the 14th ranked freshman country coming out of Brentwood, TN and consensus 5-star recruit. While it was considered a major coup for Garland to land at a school like Vanderbilt, fans were certainly disappointed to see their prized recruit go down. Thankfully, Garland hasn't missed a beat since his injury and has since become an NBA All-Star. Today, we take a look at Garland's key measurables and how they compare to other NBA guards.

Unraveling The Numbers

​When discussing the size of a basketball player, key metrics such as height, weight, and wingspan come into play. Let's take a closer look at each of these aspects to gain a comprehensive understanding of just how big Darius Garland is.

Height: A Vertical Perspective

​Garland measures in at approximately 6 feet 1 inch, or 185 centimeters. We previously talked about the average NBA player standing 6'7", and it's rare for players as small as Garland to have the type of success that he's had. Despite his lack of height, DG averaged 21.6 ppg and 7.8 assists per game during the 2022-2023 season. 

Weight: Strength in Motion

Weighing in at around 175 pounds or 79 kilograms, Garland strikes a balance between speed, agility, and strength. His frame allows him to navigate through defenders, absorb contact, and finish at the rim with finesse. However, he has had his fair share of injuries. For comparison, Ja Morant is 174 lbs at 6'2". Early in his career, Steph Curry played at around 185 pounds. As he's gotten older, his playing weight has been closer to 200 pounds. As Garland gets older, I wouldn't be surprised is he adds some strength to his frame. 

Wingspan: Reaching New Heights

​The measurement of a player's wingspan provides valuable insights into their reach and ability to impact the game on both ends of the court. Darius Garland has a wingspan of 6'5", which allows him to make up for his lack of height. With his quickness, Garland utilizes his wingspan effectively to disrupt passing lanes, contest shots, and make plays on defense.

The Impact of Size on Garland's Game

​Despite not possessing extraordinary height, weight, or wingspan, Garland compensates with his exceptional skills, basketball IQ, and quickness. He's also a tremendous shooter. I had the opportunity to watch Garland play at the 2018 Nike Hoops Summit, and there were two things that really stood out to me. First, the ball comes off of his hand effortlessly when he shoots. Having watched thousands of basketball players, some guys are just natural shooters. Second, he didn't possess blow by speed but had the right amount of quickness to create shots for himself and others. Sitting next to a friend, I told him at the time, "this kid is going to be a pro." 

Props to Darius Garland for all the success he's had to date, and I'm looking forward to continuing to follow his promising career.